It has been a minute since I have had a chance to share what is going on in the library. January tends to always be such a wash (and we had some crazy weather) and in February I live and breathe Destination ImagiNation.
But- if you are looking at a calendar you know that the first week of March is Read Across America Week.
Being in High School Read Across America Week looks a little different (and participation always varies) Each day I have a different activity that students can do- BUT.. this time I have added in prizes!
Prizes- chips/candy bars/possibly a soda- High schoolers love food.. and we have some good sales going on right now at my local store.
Ways students can get their name in the drawing: -check out an eBook or Audiobook- all of our students have devices- so all they have to do is show me what they borrowed -check out a physical book -enter into the Bookmark Contest -come to my Hot Chocolate Storytime -leave a review of any book
Each day I am posting on social media about Read Across America Week. You can find my daily posts here-----> CANVA LINK (thanks Canva!)
Last month we had Shannon McClintock Miller come to our library meeting and of course, I got SO many ideas!! I have started doing a monthly choice board that shares our resources.
This is one of my slides on my TV that is outside the library and also printed and on my circulation desk.
I am always looking for ways to connect with my students and share our premium resources and reading. My next blog is about the new program I just started- The Eagle's Nest.
What do you do for Read Across America Week? I am now also a Student Council Sponsor and next year I think I am going to have my kids help plan some dress-up days for Read Across America Week (if you are in high school... you know how much they love a reason to wear pajamas!)
February was a whirlwind! I didn't make it to TCEA- thanks to the ice storm that stretched from Dallas all the way to San Antonio. Although I was bummed about TCEA, I know that NTTBF and TLA are just around the corner!
March is another busy month with lots of different things in store (along with spring break!)
This March I am planning
-Read Across America -Open House Activity -Promoting North Texas Teen Book Festival -New Displays -Taking 2 teams to the Lonestar Finals for Destination ImagiNation -Senior Pictures
Read Across America
Read Across America is a great time to promote reading, but sometimes that gets a little harder when it comes to middle school and high school. You can find what I did last year here
I have a confession- I am using the same Read Across America ideas and tweaking them just a little bit. These high schoolers haven't seen it before... right? I do love dress-up days, but my mind was busy with Destination ImagiNation- so, maybe next year. You can find the template here
For Thursday, March 2nd- Read Across America Day- I am going to host a Hot Chocolate and storytime before school starts. I have started doing these about once a month.. the students humor me and stop in, but I think they secretly enjoy the story and hot chocolate.
Open House Activity
March 1st is our Open House. I always like having a fun and simple STEM activity. I am reusing this idea as well, but it has been one of my faves (it is also super easy setup and creating!)
We are going to do Hoop Gliders and then challenge students to see whose glider can go the farthest.
Materials Needed: -scissors -tape -tape/glue -straw -ruler if wantedNorth Texas Teen Book Festival
If you are in the DFW area, I would HIGHLY encourage you to check out the North Texas Teen Book Festival. I have written about this festival several times- because honestly, it is the reason that I became a librarian. You can find information on their website There are SO many amazing authors... and.. it is FREE!! You pay for parking, food (it is credit card only) and books if you want to buy (which you will want too because the authors sign them!) It is a day full of author panels, conversing with students, book signings.. and just a day of amazing books.
I have a group of students that are helping with the countdown- Look for us on Day 4 until North Texas Teen Book Festival on their social media.
New Displays
I have been doing a weekly vote outside the library- currently, the vote is favorite kind of pizza. I think for Read Across America I am going to do favorite type of book.
-March Mammal Madness- I saw this from a TikTok- and now I am trying to convince my Biology teachers to do it with me. You can find it here
-Women's History Month
-North Texas Teen Book Festival
I will post pics of my displays once I am done with them. You can find my libraryland Instagram at @beeinthebookends
Destination ImagiNation Lonestar Finals
I am ending my month taking 2 teams to the Lonestar Finals for Destination ImagiNation. In my spare time, I am a DI team manager and also a Girl Scout Leader. I am SUPER proud of all of my teams.
I took 4 teams to Mid-Cities Regional Tournament and all walked away with medals with 2 advancing to state.
The Nerdy Birdys- I have been hanging out with them since they were in 3rd grade- and now they are Seniors! They are an Improv group and will be going to state at the end of March
The PEEPS is another group that I have been hanging out with since they were in 3rd grade and now they are Juniors. They didn't make it to state but still did an amazing in their Fine Arts challenge.
The E.L.V.E.S. was my FIRST team from my new school- they did AMAZING.. and placed second in their challenge. Check out the website they created
The Flock is the combined team of the Nerdy Birdys and the PEEPS. They placed 1st and are headed to state as well.
I am super proud of all these teams and what they did (I also shed a couple of tears when I realized that was the last time for my Nerdy Birdys to have a regional tournament)
I also love a selfie- and check out this pic that the photographer caught at awards.
Senior Pictures
I love taking pictures.. I am not a professional, but I am not too bad. I am offering senior pictures to our students- a headshot and some candids.
So far these two books have been my favorite reads of February.
Of course, spring break is in this month too. I am helping with robotics, planting trees with my Girl Scout Troop for Keep Irving Beautiful, and picking up a few hours of lifeguarding.
